A few weeks ago, we went to Ohio to visit my family and reunite with all seven of my siblings. It was amazing that we could all be there together and it was a blast.
My home church has a house that used to be a parsonage. It is now used as a place for missionaries and friends of the church to stay in and that's where we stay when we go to Ohio. It's a great setup and we enjoy it a great deal.
We went to Ohio a few years ago and my home church had severely declined. The pastor, my pastor, had been there 52 years and had recently retired. It's hard to follow a pastor whose been there that long and, even though they did get a new pastor, the church began to decline. When we were there a few years ago, there were barely 20 people there and it was quite distressing to me. I thought my home church was going to die.
When we were there a few weeks ago, it was a completely different story! It was a vibrant place with new faces and young families and a real energy for the Gospel. As of this writing, they don't have a permanent pastor, although they have a candidate they are considering, but they have an interim pastor. We heard him preach and he preaches the Word of God straight up. The Gospel was clear and God is giving the increase.
The preaching of the Word brings growth.
The morning we were there, we met a young single mom who had just been baptized with her two sons, We met a 15 year old girl who had gotten saved that very morning! We saw the evidence of God working and moving in people's lives.
There is a real revival going on in Eaton, Ohio.
Praise be! To God be the glory!
My heart is encouraged.
~Tricia
